Raster Scanning for Operational Digitizing of Graphical Data

The current growth of computer graphics has resulted in operational automated systems to digitize existing maps and drawings. The configuration and performance of SysScan, a general purpose hard- and software configuration for converting maps and drawings into a digital format, and to edit, store, retreive, and generally manipulate the digital data are described. A unique component of SysScan is KartoScan, a raster scanner using white light and a CCD array sensor. In the commercial mapping segment, this system has pioneered the operational application of raster scanning to a number of digitizing tasks, among them the generation of digital elevation models from contour lines, and the creation of digital polygon data sets. Experience in these applications are reported.